King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands

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Happy Birthday to King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, who turns 50 today. The eldest of three sons of the then Princess Beatrix and Prince Claus, Willem-Alexander was the first male born to the House of Orange since 1861. In 1981, he became the Prince of Orange, after the abdication of his grandmother, Queen Juliana, and accession of his mother, Queen Beatrix. Educated in the Netherlands and the UK, he also served in the Dutch Navy, Army, and Airforce. In 2002, the Prince of Orange married Argentinian-born Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti. The couple have three daughters, including the Princess of Orange. In 2013, after the abdication of his mother, he succeeded to the Dutch Throne as King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands.Before his accession, he was a member of the International Olympic Committee and chairman of the Secretary-General of the United Nations’ Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation. As King, he is the Dutch head of State, as well as the ex officio chair of the Council of State, which advises the cabinet on every piece of legislation and is the final court for administrative law. In addition to his constitutional duties, King Willem Alexander represents Dutch Interests on Foreign State Visits and Tours, and leads economic and Business delegations abroad, and is also a part-time pilot. I wish His Majesty a very happy Birthday and Many Happy Returns.

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